Shocks picked 9th

[Maggie]

I’m not surprised. This team has not earned respect – I think they will but until then…..9th place it is.

[shockar25]

All I can say is: "Chip on Our Shoulder" (we need to play with one)

This team is certainly capable of better than 9th but as you all have said they'll need to show proof of that which I am confident will happen.

While we likely aren't a championship-caliber team this year, remember that the Sweet 16 team was picked 5th that year and look what happened.

I can't wait to make them eat crow.

[RoyalShock]

Did anyone else notice the preseason first team?

It's not dominated by seniors. I know it's only a preseason guess, but it bodes well that the league is getting some good young talent.

[SubGod22]

I hadn't even thought about that Royal. I saw the names and just figured that you can't reall complain much about who was selected.

The Valley is getting stronger and deeper...

[NCAABound]

It's better than last year...but not even close to how good it was 2-3 years ago.

[vbird53]

The Valley is getting stronger and deeper...

Then why did this league only get one bid in the Tourney?


I'm still mad about that. The quality of basketball in this league is good, otherwise Coach Marshall could have finished in the top half, like he did at Winthrop from the start.


Those that select the Tourney teams need to keep in mind what this league accomplishes out of conference, it's been unbelieveable over the last 5 or 6 years.

[DUShock]

One shouldn't be terribly surprised. The Shocks had the majority of a sweet 16 team returning and imploded. The Shocks failed to reload and imploded. In other words two years after being one of the bright spots in "The Dance" we're on life support.

HCGM is up to his elbows in blood & guts but he's identified the bleeder and is working exhaustively to stop the hemorrhage and repair the damage. We'll be back to post season 2010-2011 and will most assuredly be Dancing in 2011-2012.

Go Shocks!!!!

[emmitt]

whats wrong with dancing 2008-2009? what is wrong about dancing 2009-2010?

i am sure people had a drake on a 3-4 year plan prior to last year

[ShockerFever]

People, a Drake-like run doesn't happen all that often. Please don't put all your hopes and dreams into a "If Drake can do it.." mentality.

I think 9th is a little low though. 7th is more realistic to me. We just need some growing and some patience..

Next year will be better.

[Aargh]

I'll bet this is already up in the locker room.

It's hard to imagine a much better motivational tool.

[ISASO]

Actually, I expect ISASO to show up soon to jump on this one.
I do recall him quoting our 9th place pick a few years ago on numerous occasions and it appears history is sort of repeating itself. 8)

I believe that Turg turned a 9th place pick into a 5th place finish. I also believe Marshall is a better coach.

[shockerfan]

While part of me is upset to see us picked so low, there are 2 things I keep reminding myself.

1) This only fuels what seems to be an already hungry team.

2) It doesn't matter where you are picked before a single game is played. It doesn't automatically mean our season will end up how some forsee it playing out right now. Just think how much better it will look if we even finish 5th or 6th at the end of the season when we were picked 9th to start out.


I'm sure the boys will be eager to take the argument to the hardwood! LET THE SEASON BEGIN!

[lilshock]

First of all, the valley was really bad last year. Drake didnt win, everyone else lost. Thats why we got 1 team in. Plus I am looking at this year as a fun year, if we do better, great. If not, there is going to be alot of dunks this year. My point is just to enjoy the ride because its going to be fun and fast!!! GO SHOCKS

[newshock1234]

First of all, the valley was really bad last year. Drake didnt win, everyone else lost. Thats why we got 1 team in. Plus I am looking at this year as a fun year, if we do better, great. If not, there is going to be alot of dunks this year. My point is just to enjoy the ride because its going to be fun and fast!!! GO SHOCKS

explain to me what really bad is? Yes we only got 1 team in, but the valley was still a top 8 conference according to the RPI

[WSUwatcher]

Yep

Says ISASO,

"I believe that Turg turned a 9th place pick into a 5th place finish. I also believe Marshall is a better coach."

I couldn't agree more. I've said it time and again -- people keep forgetting how close to a .500 team the Shocks were last year. So if they're better this year, as I think we all believe they are, above .500 and in the middle of the pack is not a stretch by any means.